Please bring all Required Clothing & Gear

You are welcome to bring extras of the items marked with a plus (+) sign. Where a range of quantities is indicated, e.g., “1-2” bring the smaller quantity if you are on a one-week course, and the larger quantity if your course is 10 days or longer. There are multiple brand name options available at varying prices. The clothing and equipment on this list is widely available in many places. Specialty outdoor stores like  L.L.Bean, REI, Campmorand  Eastern Mountain Sportswill have a range of appropriate items to choose from. Discount retailers, like Sierra Trading Postand the REI Garage often have good prices on name-brand gear and clothing. You may also locate many first- quality clothing and equipment items at military surplus stores and area consignment stores and thrift stores, such as Goodwilland The Salvation Army. 

The HIOBS website has some great items. A complete collection of HIOBS-recommended-for-course items can be found HERE. Please contact your course advisor for suggestions.

Sizing & Layering

Packing several light layers rather than fewer heavier layers allows you more flexibility as the weather and workloads change. Inner layers should fit closely, middle layers should fit loosely and outer layers should be just a little bit baggy. When shopping or packing, it is a good idea to try on your layers together.

Packing

Before your expedition, your instructors will check your gear; they will assess your clothing with the actual route and the anticipated weather in mind. Items you don’t take on expedition will be stored safely at base. We suggest leaving the tags on any items you purchase in case you don’t actually pack them for expedition, but please note that you should check with each store to see what their return policies are.  If there are items that you would like to bring but which are not mentioned on this list, feel free to call and ask your course advisor at 855-802-0307.

Tick- and Mosquito-Borne (Arboviral) Diseases

Tick- and mosquito-borne diseases are an increasing risk of traveling in the wild regions of the Americas, including our course areas in Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, the Bahamas, and Costa Rica. Fortunately, there are prevention steps that are very effective and, in most cases, treatment is relatively simple and recovery complete, so long as the diagnosis is made early. Students and their families should educate themselves on the risks, prevention measures, and signs and symptoms of tick-borne illnesses. 

Since prevention is always better than treatment, we STRONGLY recommend pre-treating your footwear, long pants, long-sleeve shirts, jackets and hats with a chemical barrier containing permethrin, at least two days before traveling to your course. Applied correctly and allowed to dry before wearing, the treatment remains effective for up to a month. For even longer-lasting protection, you can either purchase clothing with permethrin embedded within it, or send your clothes to Insect Shield®, who will treat them and ship them back to you, ready for your course. Use the Coupon Code “HIOBS” to receive a 15% discount on both clothing and treatment services at this website (please note that you need to use the coupon separately for products/ service).

Permethrin spray is readily available at many retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Campmor, and Walgreen's.

For more information, please download our Vector-Borne Disease General Fact Sheet.

Florida is generally warm and sunny, but during the winter cold fronts are common and there is usually plenty of wind, so you will need to bring warm clothes. The sun can be intense, making sun protection (sun screen & clothing) very important. Temperatures at night can fall to the 40s and even lower in December and January. Daytime temperatures range from the 50s to 80s from December to April, so come prepared for all possibilities.

Bringing the required clothing on your course is crucial to being prepared for ALL the weather conditions you may encounter. On expedition, you carry a lot less than when you travel in the regular world. The clothing on this list is designed to keep you warm if it is cold or wet and be flexible enough to allow you to pack away items if it is hot. Please bring everything on the list.

Tops

• 2 Long Underwear Tops: Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene, or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Lightweight.
• 2 Sports Bras: Quick-drying synthetic bras.
• 1-2 Synthetic T-Shirts: Can be 50/50 blend of cotton/polyester, but all synthetics dry faster. One could be a tank top. 
• 1-2 Cotton T-Shirts: Nice for dry weather or for sleeping in. 
• 1 Wind Jacket: Lightweight, breathable, unlined nylon jacket
• 1 Warm Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater: 200-weight Polartec® or the equivalent in wool or pile. A full front zipper helps you vent and makes layering easier.
• 1 Long-Sleeved, Lightweight Shirt: Old loose-fitting dress shirts are great for sun protection. Thrift stores generally have the best and brightest selection!  Can be cotton.
• 1 Rash Guard or Swim Shirt: Tight fitting, long-sleeved surf shirt with a UV (UPF, SPF) protection of at least 30.

Bottoms

• 3-4 pairs Underwear: Synthetic fabrics work best, but cotton is okay.
• 1 Long Underwear Bottom: Materials may be Capilene®, polypropylene, or other synthetics; silk is less effective—NO COTTON. Lightweight.
• 1 Quick-Dry Pants: Loose-fitting, lightweight nylon fabric dries quickly.
• 1-2 Shorts: Loose-fitting, quick-drying athletic shorts.

Additional Clothing

• 1 Swim Suit: One-piece quick-drying swimsuit, t-shirt and/or sports bra and shorts, or lightweight swim shorts
• 1 Sarong: A length of very light cotton or rayon (3’ x 7’), preferably not white,  to wrap around yourself while changing clothes.  A non-fitted twin bedsheet can be used.
• 1 set Travel Clothes: Clean clothes for the trip home (will not be worn during the course/on expedition)

Head, Hands, & Feet

• 1 Sun Hat: For sun protection, either a broad-brimmed hat with chin strap or a baseball cap.  In March and April, a broad-brimmed hat, which offers more sun protection coverage than a baseball hat is strongly recommended. 
• 1 Winter Hat: Make sure it covers your ears when you pull it down. Wool or synthetic only.
• 1 Head Net: Fine mesh bug net that will fit over your head, to be worn as needed on land.
• 1 pair Gloves: For blister and sun protection. Can be light cotton work gloves or fingerless sailing, cycling or weightlifting gloves.
• 1+ pair Warm Socks: Thick wool or synthetic only. NO COTTON.
• 1-2 pairs Light Socks: Thin synthetic socks
• 1 pair Water Shoes or Sneakers: Water Shoes- Quick-draining, full coverage, above- or below-the-ankle footwear, and include wetsuit booties with rugged soles OR Sneakers- Full-coverage, below-the-ankle, athletic footwear
• 1 pair Crocs or Water Sandals: Crocs- Closed-cell resin clogs with partial foot coverage, drainage and ventilation holes, and a heel strap OR Water Sandals- Appropriate design for OB courses with heel straps, and toe caps or bumpers

Personal Items

• 1 Headlamp & Batteries: Minimum three volts (two or more AA- or AAA-batteries). Bring one set of alkaline batteries per week of course.  Many headlamp varieties offer a red-light mode for preserving night vision, which is a useful option. 
• 1 Water Bottle: 32 oz. water bottle. Wide-mouth makes filling easier.
• 1 Pack Towel: A synthetic, wringable towel, also called a chamois, a sports towel or a swimmer’s towel. No cotton.
• Watch: Make sure it’s waterproof and inexpensive. Stopwatch, light, and alarm are useful functions.
• Sunglasses: Bring a strap to hold them on and a hard-sided case to protect them when you’re not wearing them.
• Swimming Goggles: Should be snug-fitting and comfortable.
• Journal/Notebook + Pen: Personal journal or notebook, put in a Ziploc with pen. You may want to take notes during your course. (5" x  8  1/2" or smaller.)
• Spoon & Bowl: Spoon can be metal or plastic. Bowl can be wood or tough plastic; having a secure lid for it has been very helpful.
• 1-2 Bandannas: Useful for cleaning sunglasses, as pot holders, and more.
• 2-3 Plastic Bags: Gallon-sized Ziploc®-type with a closure for keeping things dry or separating wet items
• Basic Toilet Kit: Toothbrush, small trial-size toothpaste, comb, brush, and dental floss. 
• Course End Toiletries: Towel, soap and shampoo, deodorant, etc. for the course end shower and to prep for travel home.
• Disposable Menstrual Products: An ample supply. Changes in diet and activity can produce changes in cycles.
• 1-2 Sunscreen: 8-oz, minimum SPF 30.  Do not bring aerosol sprays.
• Lip Balm: Minimum SPF 30.
• 1 Insect Repellent: Bring a small unbreakable container, 10-50% DEET.  And/or Avon Skin So Soft. Do not bring aerosol sprays.
• 2 sets Prescription Medication (if needed): MUST be in original bottles or vials. The extra set is just in case the medication gets lost or damaged.
• Eyeglass System (if needed): Bring a hard case and a keeper strap for your glasses. Bring two pairs, or a pair of contacts and your glasses.
• Insurance Card: If you have health insurance, please bring your card, or a clear photocopy of both sides of it.
• $25-$75 Cash, or a Credit/Debit Card: To buy snacks during travel or to pay for lost or damaged gear. Items from the school store will be for sale at the end of your course.

Cooler Month Items (December/January)

• 1 Fleece Vest or Long-Sleeved Shirt: Mid-weight- can be Polartec® fleece, wool, or the equivalent weight shirt or 100- or 200-weight Polartec® vest.
• 1 Medium Weight Pants: Mid-weight: 100- or 200-weight Polartec® or the equivalent
• 1 pair Mittens or Warm Gloves: Can be wool or fleece.

Optional Clothing & Gear

These are NOT required items. Please only buy them if you plan to use them outside of your course.

• Hooded Rain Jacket & Rain Pants: Outward Bound will issue you sailing rain (“foul weather”) gear, but in light rain or spray, lightweight gear is often more comfortable. Can be Gore-Tex or coated nylon. Make sure that the seams are taped or welded so they can’t leak.
• Bug Shirt: This can be a wind jacket with a hood that cinches, or you can bring a mesh one. The most durable models can be found at  www.bugshirt.com or www.woodscanada.com.
• Sleeping Pad: Outward Bound will issue you a closed-cell foam pad for sleeping.  We strongly recommend that - if you can - you bring with you an inflatable sleeping pad (like a “Therm-a-Rest”), in order to make sleeping on the boat more comfortable. Please make sure that it is no wider than 20 inches. 
• Camera: Due to the risk of damage from weather and the expedition, we suggest you not bring a camera unless it is waterproof and durable, or disposable and inexpensive. GoPro cameras are allowed. You will only be able to film or take photos with the instructors’ and other students’ permission.
• 2-3 Stuff Sacks: Made of lightweight nylon in many colors, these help to keep your clothes and gear organized.
• Swimming Cap: Useful if you have long hair.
• 1+ Ear Plugs: Swimmers’ type may increase swimming comfort by preventing water from entering your ears. Foam earplugs may block out noise for improved sleep.
• Foot Powder: Corn starch, baby powder or Gold Bond all work. Maximum size: 4oz.

Please note that Outward Bound provides all other equipment, including (but not limited to):

• Sleeping Bags & Pads
• Backpacks or Sea Duffels
• Shelter (tents or tarps)
• Cookware
• Food (3 meals/day + snacks)
• PFD (Personal Flotation Device) as needed
• Foul Weather Gear (for Sailing courses)